I’m not here to crash the party…

[Mr. Bloom]

I am not bibulous. But I do have a proclivity to disport with words.

V.

I felt compelled to paste this from another thread so the world would know and would not doubt her sobriety

[fastdogs]

I, for one, hope to see some photos of the bike being ridden over there! I hate that someone felt they had to try to make you feel unwelcome. You know what you are there for, no matter what flack you get from civilians and media.
I don't mind if private messages are posted (and that wasn't done in this case anyway), if the pm'er was ashamed of her post, she shouldn't have sent it in the first place. I'm not sure why anyone feels his post was unecessary anyway- I thought it was great, although I don't like that there are the snarky weasely people out there who'd try to shut it down. If it somehow offends you, too bad, I enjoyed it (and several others too)and want to know more and see more photos.
vickie
SFC, retired

[bmccasland]

Bruce - Welcome aboard (oooh, that's navy. sorry)!

When you get the chance, and the hair color discussion didn't scare you off, we'd like bike pics. Please?

And how many duffle bags did it take to get the bike to the big sandbox?

Essayons!

[Trek420]

Bruce - Welcome aboard (oooh, that's navy. sorry)!

Oooh, that reminds me, Bruce the water bottles are from my boss. She's retired Navy. Hope you don't mind.

[MSG Hall]

Thank you all very much! I mean that. I am not thin skinned, but my original intention was just to thank all of you who were so generous to me. I may be back and post some pictures and give some update as many of you have requested, but I will not be “a regular” here.

I have a beautiful bride of 22 years, and we are truly happy, and two wonderful intelligent daughters (one of whom rides quite avidly), they are my life. I get all the estrogen I need at home.

My intentions were and are honorable. I thank you all.

Bruce

[Trek420]

I get all the estrogen I need at home.
Bruce

Oh c'mon. Who could ever have too much of us? All women without exception are wonderful, well behaved and tactful, thoughtful, wise, considerate, kind and perfect in every way. How could you ever have too much estrogen around?

Yeah right. Never mind.

I shared the idea for this with a friend who's a Col. in the Green Beret. Yes, the lefty liberal knows and likes a Green Beret Col. Anyway he said on his first tours (he's been at least twice) he jogged daily "in the walls" till a bullet landed right in front of his foot. Then he decided he did not need to jog.

But then he's a Col. so I don't know if they have to keep in shape? And he's only a Green Beret so he stayed indoors

So let's hear about the rides, and I hope you'll invite your daughter on the board. We're nice, really!!

[tygab]

Thank you for your service, MSG! I work with the armed forces, people who are coming and going to your area of the world regularly. I wish you a safe and speedy return. I know the job people are trying to do there is a tough one. In the meanwhile, enjoy the bike goods the two here were so kind to send you...

-T

[Trek420]

In the meanwhile, enjoy the bike goods the two here were so kind to send you...

-T

It was a team effort. Not just Southernbelle and me. I hope he enjoys the relaxation and peace that a ride brings and that soon he's safely home to his family and for rides with his daughter.

But I'm finding he's concerned for his guys (guys in the non gender specific sense of the word "guys" ) as there are a few over there who ride or would like to for rest/relaxation. They are making do with spare parts from Box Store bikes when it comes to repair. How do you get a Walm@rt bike over there? and one floor pump and few patch kits though S'belle sent an adapter and I think I sent patch kits along ....

My LBS owner asked me if there's anything else they need so Bruce, more help is on the way and maybe some TE'ers will join in. I realize there are many cyclists in need of help everywhere and everyday including sometimes moi/myself. I just think there's not enough done for our veterans.

[kelownagirl]

Perhaps a call in to one of the major bike manufacturers would be helpful? I'm sure they would be willing to send over a couple of bikes for the boys.

[Trek420]

Perhaps a call in to one of the major bike manufacturers would be helpful? I'm sure they would be willing to send over a couple of bikes for the boys.

Perhaps, but since I don't have those kinda contacts I've just been in kahoots with my LBS.

[Mr. Bloom]

and maybe some TE'ers will join in

PM Silver and me and let us know how we can help... I've emailed my LBS to see if they have a decent MTB they are willing to donate/discount...maybe a good condition/quality used one...

[bikerchick68]

Bruce,

It's been a few months since I logged in and posted here, but your post induced me to get on the boards again. I want to say THANK YOU for being there so that we here don't have to be. What you do ensures that I can ride when I want, speak how I choose, and put a Christmas tree up in my home because it makes me happy to. Those are all privileges we should remember not to take for granted. Your service is the best gift any of us can receive.

I hope the bike brings you a sense of normalcy and some stress relief.

Thanks to Trek420 and Southernbelle too... very, very cool of you to act on this request.

[teigyr]

Wow...simply wow.

I read Bruce's initial post and was very moved by it. I didn't have time to respond but told DH about it and was so impressed both by Bruce's heartfelt thanks and by the fact that the TE people are so freakin' wonderful. The picture made a difference but it was positive. The internet is so anonymous and to see the picture and read the words made Bruce far more of a person. I never saw it as anything other than someone saying thanks.

I've never viewed this or any other special interest site as dating fodder but then again I've seen some wonderful couples grow from common interests I have met some fantastic people. I have PM'd people with no ulterior motive other than to ask questions or thank people. I am also one of those who sometimes thinks "if I wanted the male perspective, I would've asked a mixed gender board..." and while I like the guys here, I'm not always too comfortable with it, especially for *all* subject matter.

That all being said though, I saw nothing ulterior or untoward in Bruce's post.

Bruce, thank you for serving and you made me realize that I should be doing more to help our people away from home. Take care and I think you were perfectly ok in posting what you posted. You are more than welcome here.

[Trek420]

I am also one of those who sometimes thinks "if I wanted the male perspective, I would've asked a mixed gender board..."

Right, and I don't see bikejournal etc doing anything for our Baghdad Cycling Club

[salsabike]

Trek, if there is a way some of can can contribute to a single effort, that would be nice. It's not clear to me whether your LBS is continuing to do more, that we could help pay for, or not. Can you let us know about that?